| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Wilmington/100k people | North Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 5,001 | n/a (estimate) | 3,998 | 2,344 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 7 | n/a | 5.6 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 57 | n/a | 45.6 | 28.0 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 91 | n/a | 72.7 | 50.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 449 | n/a | 358.9 | 290.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 604 | n/a (estimate) | 483 | 376 | 359 |
| Burglary | 452 | n/a | 361.3 | 323.9 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 3,555 | n/a | 2,841.7 | 1,390.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 390 | n/a | 311.7 | 254.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 4,397 | n/a (estimate) | 3,515 | 1,968 | 1,760 |
The Wilmington crime rates are 88.6% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 604 violent crimes in Wilmington (483 per 100,000 people), which is 34.5% higher than the national average and there were a total of 4397 property crimes (3515 per 100,000 residents) which is 99.7% higher than average.
Every year, one in 29 people fall victim to a property crime in Wilmington - which is high compared to the national average. With a property crime rate of 3515 per 100,000 people, Wilmington has one of the highest property crime rates in the country. In fact, the city ranks among the worst 10% of all cities that reported crime last year.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Wilmington residents. Out of the respondents (216 in total), 36% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Wilmington were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 64% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
Is Wilmington a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Wilmington has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 89%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 13.7 daily incidents, encompassing 1.65 violent crimes and 12.05 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Wilmington as a potential place to call home.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Wilmington has increased by 19.6%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Wilmington, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 7.8%, while property crime has increased by 24.7%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Wilmington is a safe place to live.
Wilmington has a poverty rate of 19.2, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.
In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Wilmington currently has an unemployment rate of 3.2%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.
Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In Wilmington, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 2.78 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.
| Item | Wilmington | North Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 304 | 14,511 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.8 | 4.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | North Carolina /100K | National /100K |
| North Carolina | 26,293 | 320 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Bayshore, NC | 3,878 | 74 | 389 | 463 |
| Hampstead, NC | 7,098 | 122 | 640 | 762 |
| Belville, NC | 2,798 | 125 | 656 | 782 |
| Ogden, NC | 9,359 | 132 | 691 | 822 |
| Porters Neck, NC | 7,934 | 132 | 691 | 822 |
| Myrtle Grove, NC | 12,355 | 143 | 750 | 893 |
| Leland, NC | 22,366 | 96 | 983 | 1,080 |
| Wilmington, NC | 125,049 | 483 | 3,515 | 3,998 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| East Los Angeles, CA | 124,794 | 653 | 2,792 | 3,445 |
| Hartford, CT | 125,397 | 516 | 2,846 | 3,361 |
| Columbia, MO | 125,431 | 348 | 2,318 | 2,665 |
| Odessa, TX | 125,590 | 316 | 1,842 | 2,159 |
| Vallejo, CA | 124,444 | 740 | 3,990 | 4,730 |
| Wilmington, NC | 125,049 | 483 | 3,515 | 3,998 |
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